Oil well apparatus



Jufiy 30, 1935, J. F. MOODY O IL WELL APPARATUS Filed July 19, 1953 INVENTOR. s ZMoo ATTORNEYS.

J5 BY Patented July 30, 1935 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OIL WELL APPARATUS Joseph F. Moody, Tulsa, Okla.

Application July 19, 1933, Serial No. 681,079%.

22 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in oil well apparatus and particularly to elevators such as are used for manipulating the drill or rod in the well hole of the type as disclosed in my Patent No. 1,766,920.

An important object of the invention is to provide a novel detachable wear plate against which the rod bears and bywhich it is sup- Ported.

A further object is to provide a wear plate with means for permitting the same to be fastened and uncoupled easily.

A still further object is to provide novel means whereby the pivot pins serve. to firmly hold the detachable wear plate to the body portion and additionally serving as means for permitting the easy insertion of the cotter pins.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of novel closure elements or dogs'for the elevatoropening and which are held in place by the detachable wear plate which supports the rod.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is rela-, tively simple in construction, inexpensive of manufacture and highly efficient in practical use.

Another important object is to provide novel latching dogs whereby the rod is locked within the opening in the elevator.

The invention also resides in certain novel features of construction and combination of the various parts and in modes of operation as hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the. accompanying drawing which illustrates the new preferred embodiment of the invention.

It is to be understood that the invention is capable of various modifications within the spirit and scope of the subject matter claimed.

In the drawing wherein the same reference characters have been used to designate the same parts in all views,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view ofan elevator incorporating my invention, the bails which connect the elevator to a hoisting apparatus being shown in dotted lines as swung down to horizontal position;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of Fig. 1 showing the wear plate removed so as to expose the novel latch dogs and also showing a broken section through the left dogs and exposing the stop means carried by the body portion of the elevator;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of Fig. 1 showing. the wear plate removed and exposing. the relative position of the dogs in unlocked position, the right dogs being entirely released from their normal seat and the left dogs about to be released;

Fig. 5 is a group perspective illustrating the wear plate, one set of the latch dogs and the eccentric pin and cotter pin therefor.

Referring specifically to the drawing the-elevator comprises a body 5 which is provided at opposite sides with ears 6 which are-horizontally slotted, as at 'l, to receive the bails 8, shown in dotted lines, (swung down out of their normal elevator-supporting position) and which connect the elevator to the hoisting apparatus.

The bails 8 are secured in the ears 6 by means of pivot pins 9, arranged in openings 1' located in the ears,it being observed thateach member 9 is an eccentric pin and. has a reduced end 9 of substantially uniform circular configuration through which a cotter pin I 0 extends transversely and adjacent the inner exterior surfaces of the earsi. .Such a pin structure will adjust more readily on the wear plate and also will allow the use of larger and stronger pins as the openings I in the ears 6 can be drilled lower than usual; and the portions 9 of the eccentric pin 9 will still be high enough above the wearing plate to allow the notch 28 in the wearing plate to be high enough to permit the bottom of the plate to be left solid and thus stronger than heretofore. The novel wear plate 16 cooperates in holding the pivot pins 9 in fixed position, as will be presently explained.

Y Referring now to Fig. 3, it will be noted thatthe top surface of the elevator body 5 is provided with a circumferential groove II which is enlarged at the front of the elevator as at H on either side of the work receiving slot [2. At the rear sides of the groove l I are abutments or teeth 13 which provide stops or locking abutments for the latchdogs which will be presently described. 7

The groove H and slot l2 define the central boss'-' like member H which as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4 has the appearance of a fairly full moon.

The latch elements comprise upper and lower dogs l5and l 5 respectively. The lower dog I5 is arcuate in plan and is provided at its forward end with an enlarged laterally extending nose portion II. An opening I! is located in portion l'l and adapted to engage a stop element [8 carried by the body portion 5. A second opening I9 is carried intermediate 01 the ends of thedog l5 and serves as a socket for a pivot carried 15 only necessary to removethe cotterpins I0.

7 in Fig. 5.

by the upper dog. It is to be noted that nose portion II of dog I5 engages the outer wall of groove enlargement I I. This prevents latch element or dog I5 from being rocked outwardly in groove II by contact with work within openings I2, 29. But upper dog I5 may be rocked slightly in groove II, and relatively of dog I5 (see Figs. 3 and 4) to disengage its shoulder or notch 25 from the abutment or tooth I 3 of groove I I. More specific reference to this will be had later.-

The upper latch element I5 hasits intermediate portion arcuate in plan and is provided at its forward end with an enlarged laterally extending nose I9 and is further provided with a cut away portion or notch 20 to prevent the upper latch I5 from touching the rod when held within the slot 2I. The rear end of each dog I5 is provided with a somewhat laterally off-set handle 22.

Figs. 3 and 4 show that the groove II receives a coil spring 23 which bears against a depending shoulder'24 carried by each dog I5. A pivot pin or stud 25' is also carried by the dog I5 and engages the opening I9 in the lower dog I5. When in coupled position the lower dog fits on the pin 25' slightly in advance of the shoulder 24.

It is believed to be obvious that said spring 23 bearing against the shoulder '24 of each dog I5 serves to separate the handles '22 and thus urge the nose portions of the dogs into relatively close proximity as shown in l. Adjacent the shoulder 24 the handle portion of each dog I5 has a cut-out portion 25 so as to accommodate a flange 5, which constitutes the outer wall of the slot II as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Thus the bottom surface of the handle portion 22 will make a flat contact with the rearwardly extending shelf 5" of the body. Each notch or cut-out portion also provides the lateral shoulder 25 heretofore referred to; and when the stop I8 (Fig. 3) has engaged seat I! of dog I5 the action of spring 23 causes the rear portions of upper dogs I5 to rock outwardly in groove II about pivot 25, so as to cause the lateral shoulder 25 of dog I5 to engage the groove toothor shoulder I3 to prevent rearward sliding of the dog assemblies in groove II. 1

The novel wear plate I6 which has been referred to incidentally hereinabove, is best shown It is noted that the central portion of this plate is considerably thickened so'as to provide a maximum strength at the point of contact by the work adjacent the slot 2| which matches with the slot I2 of the body 5. The end of the wear plate I6 opposite the slot 2| is indicated "at 26. As shown the portion 26 is adapted to overlie the rear ends or handles 22 of the dogs I5, so as to protect the same against injury. In other words the handle portions are slidingly confined between the shelf portion 5" of the body and the rear extension 26 of the wear plate. 3

The wear plate I6 is provided with side ledges Z'Iand an intermediate cut-out portion 28. The cut-outs 28 are adapted to receive the ends 9 of the pivot pins 9 and'theledges 21 are adaptedto permit the easy insertion and withdrawal of the cotter pins I0 from the transverse opening in the end 9. Manifestly, the pivot pins 9 bearing against. the wear plate, I6 .and more specifically bearing against the portion 28 will "confine the wear plate in place and thus hold the dogs and spring I5 in assembled relationship with the body 5. 1

When it is desired to remove the wear plate to replace a dog or any broken or worn part, it

This having been done it is perfectly obvious that the pivot pins 9 can be moved outward so as to clear the sides of the wear plate I6, and the plate is thus freed for removal.

In operation a rod or tubing is inserted through the opening I2. As the rod enters the opening it contacts with the upper dogs I5 causing the contraction of the spring 23 and the releasing of notches 25" from association with lugs I3. With the continued urging of the rod into the opening I2 the lower dogs are struck and both pairs of dogs I5, I5 are actuated rearwardly against the action of spring 23 allowing the rod to enter the central opening 29 in the elevator. When thus positioned, the springs urge the dogs back to their normal position whereupon the lugs I3 are engaged by the notches 25 and the rod is firmly locked in position. When the rod is to be released a pressing on the handles 22 will obviously open the latch permitting the rod to be withdrawn.

When the handles are pressed together the first movement rocks the upper dogs out from engagement with the lugs I3 allowing the lower dogs to freely open to release the tubing or rod. The purpose of the interengaging notches and shoulders 25 I3, and the dog construction described is to securelylock the rod in the inside opening of the elevator so that it cannot be disengaged by any friction of the rod from the inside of the dogs, but to also enable the rod to be readily inserted by pressure against the dog noses I 9 from without work opening I2, 29. This causes an initial rocking of the rear ends of dogs I5 inwardly ingroove II to disengage shoulders 25 from the groove shoulders, or teeth I3,so that the dog assemblies are free to slide rearwardly in grooves II against the action of spring 23. Shoulders 25 I3 will have disengaged before the work that is being inserted comes into engagement with dogs I5. The latter are at all times free to slide rearwardly when shoulders 25, I3 are disengaged; and their outer ends may be rocked inwardly, but not outwardly.

It is to benoted that the stop elements I8 are shown as set screws but obviously the elements could be formed integral with the body portion 5 to serve the same function. These elements serve to stop or limit the outward movement of the dogs and to hold the same in proper place so that theupper dogs are properly and normally seated and held by the lugs I3. When the lower dogs engage the stop elements the upper dogs are permitted to drop behind the lugs I3 and tend to hold the lower dogs securely closed; and opening of the same from any friction of the rod is prevented when latched around the same.

The advantage of having the cut-out portion 20 on the upper latches or dogs is to prevent the upper dogs from touching the rod when latched around the same, thereby preventing the accidental tripping and uncoupling of the rod from the dogs from the inside of the rod elevator.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

'For instance, n0 invention would be involved over the disclosures herein by using a single closure l5, I5 instead of a double closure. Also, it is to be noted that member I5 serves as a combined latch and operating member for the commovable dog element to-lock the closure in closed panion. member l5; and that nose H of. member l5 guides the work into opening I2, 29. in addition to releasing portions 13, 25 from engagement. And, furthermore, the key or member l0 (Fig. 1) engaging ledge 21' holds the eccentric end'of pin 9 from turning out of pressure contact with ledge 21.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. The combination with an elevator; ,of a detachable wear plate having side ledges thereon, removable bail attaching eccentric pins, said pins adapted to overlie said wear plate to hold. the same in.place,-and pins arranged on said ledges and adapted to engage the ends of said eccentric pins for holdingsaid latch members and body assembled, means for engaging said wear plate to hold the same in place, and said upper latch element. having means to prevent its contact with the work insaid opening whereby to prevent accidental release of the latch members.

therein arranged over said latch elements andconfining the same between the body portion and the wear plate, teeth carried by said body,

and said upper latch elements having portions normally engaged and held by said teeth.

:4. In a device of the character described, a

body portion having a Work receiving opening therein, I duplicate upper and lower latch elements pivotally arranged within said portion and adapted to close said opening, and a removable Wear plate having a work receiving opening ar ranged and secured over said latch elements,and means: whereby said upper latch members are moved prior to the lower latch members.

5. A pipe elevator or the like comprising a. body having a side slot providing a work-receiving opening, a closure for said slot comprising pivotally connected superposed dog elements, said body providing a guide slidably receiving. said dog element-provided closure, one of said dog elements being movable transversely in said guide and. having means cooperable with a part of said body for holding said closure closed, and the other dog elements being sustained against transverse movement in said guide and having a portion disposed in said slot in advance'oi said firstnamed dog element whereby to prevent accidental i, engagement and release of the same.

.6. A pipe elevator or the like comprising a body-having a side'slot providing a work-receiving opening, a closure for said slot comprising a pair of superposed and connected dog elements, means movably connecting said dog element-provided closure to said body for movement toand from operative position, one of said dog elements being movablerelatively of the other, a locking stop on said body and engageable by said relatively position, and said other dog element having a portion projecting laterally beyond said relatively movable dog element at 'the site of said slot whereby to prevent accidental striking of the latter to release the closure.

-7. A pipe elevator or the like comprising a'body having a work opening, a pair of bail-supporting.

ears formed at opposite ends of said body, a wear plate positionable upon said body about said work opening, said wear plate being cutaway at its sides adjacent. said ears to provide laterally extending bottom ledges and inwardly extending recesses communicating with said ledges, said ears having transverse pin-receiving holes, the lowerportions of said holes being below the plane of said ledges, securing pins insertible in said ears and having eccentric inner terminals engageable in said recesses and bearable upon said ledges to clamp the wear plate upon said body, and securing keys for said pin terminals and supportable upon said ledges. v 8. A pipe elevator or the like comprising a bod having a work opening, a pair of bail-supporting ears formed at opposite sides of said body, a wear plate positionable upon said body about said work opening, said wear plate being cut away at its sides adjacent said ears to provide laterally extending bottom ledges, said ears having transverse pinreceiving holes, the lower portions of said holes being below the plane of said ledges, securing pins insertible in said ears and having eccentricinner terminals bearable upon said ledges to clamp the wear plate upon said body, and securing keys for said pin terminals and supportable upon said ledges."

9. A pipe elevator or the like comprising a body having a work opening, a pair of bail-supporting ears formed at opposite sides of said body, a wear plate positionable upon said body about said work opening, said wear plate being cut away at its sides adjacent said ears to provide laterally extending bottom ledges, cooperating with (headjacent ears to provide key-receiving grooves, pins extending transversely through said ears and bearing upon said ledges, and keys extending through said pins and resting upon said ledges in said grooves to hold said pins in clamping engagement with said wear plate.

10. A pipe elevator comprising a bodyhaving a side slot providing a work receiving opening, a body-carried closurefor said opening, a latch carried by said closure and movable relatively cf the same, said latch and body having intereng'ageable portions for holding said closure closed, and said latch having a combined latch releasing and work leasing and work guide portion at the exterior.

side of said closure and operable to release the closure and guide the work into said workopening upon engagement of the work thereagainst, said closure having a, portion interposed between said latch and the work within said opening whereby to prevent accidental release of the latch.

12. A pipe elevator comprising a body having a side slot providinga work receiving opening, a' body-carried closure for said opening, a latch carried by said closure and movable relatively of the same, said latch and bodyhaving interengageable portions for holding said closure closed, said latch havinga combined latch releasing and work guide portion at the exterior side of said closure and operable to. release the closure and guide the work into said Work opening upon engagement of the work thereagainst, and a combined latch and closure operating lever carrier by said latch member.

13. A pipe elevator comprising a body having a side slot providing a work receiving opening, a body-carried closure for said opening, a latch carried by said closure and movable relatively of the same, said latch and body having interengageable portions for holding said closure closed, said latch having a combined latch releasing and work guide portion at the exterior side of said closure and operable to release the closure and guide the work into said work opening upon engagement of the work thereagainst, said closure having a portion interposed between said latch and the work within said opening whereby to prevent accidental release of the latch, and a combined latch and closure operating lever carried by said latch member.

14. In a pipe elevator comprising a body having a side slot providinga work opening and a closure therefor, the combination of a work and hand operable combined latch and closure operator member shiftably carried by said closure, a work guide on said member at the exterior side of said closure adjacent the entrance to said opening, and an operating handle carried by said member at a point remote from said work opening entrance.

15. In. a pipe elevator comprising a body having a side slot providing a work opening and a closure therefor, the combination of a work operable combined latch and closure operator member shiftably carried by said closure, and a work guide on said member at the exterior side of said closure adjacent the entrance to said opening.

16. In a pipe elevator comprising a body having a side slot providing a work opening and a closure therefor, the combination of a work operable combined latch and closure operator member shiftably carried by said closure, a work guide on said member at the exterior side ofsaid closure adjacent the entrance to said opening, and a portion of said closure being interposed between said member and the interior of said Work opening to prevent accidental tripping of said latch.

17. In a pipe elevator comprising a body having a side slot providing a work opening and a closure therefor, the combination of a work operable combined latch and closure operator member shiftably carried by said closure, a work guide on said member at the exterior side of said closure adjacent the entrance to said opening, said body having a top surface groove slidably receiving said closure and latch member, a wear plate upon said body cut away at opposite sides to provide laterally projecting ledges, bailreceiving ears opposite said ledges and cooperating with the ledges and superjacent sides of the body to provide grooves, bail retaining pins insertable transversely through said ears and having their inner ends resting upon said ledges,

and keys insertable in said grooves along said ledges and through said pins to lock said wear plate upon said body for holding said closure and latch in place.

'18. In a pipe elevator comprising a body having a side slot providing a work opening and a closure therefor, the combination of a work operable combined latch and closure operator member shiftably carried by said closure, a work guide on said member at the exterior side of said closure adjacent the entrance to said opening,

said body having a topsurface groove slidably receiving said closure and latch member, a wear plate upon said body cut away at opposite sides to provide laterally projecting ledges, and bodycarriedpins engaging said ledges for holding the wear plate in place.

19. In a pipe elevator comprising a body hav-' ing a side slot providing a work opening and a closure-therefor, the combination of a work operable combined latch and closure operator member shiftably carried by said closure, a-work guide on said member at the exterior side of said closure adjacent the entrance to said opening, said body having a top surface groove slidably receiving said closure and latch member, a wear plate upon said body cut away at opposite sides to provide laterally projecting ledges, body carried bailholding pins having eccentric ends engaging said ledges, and keys on said ledges extending through said pins to hold them in clamping engagement with said ledges.

20. In a pipe elevator or the like comprising a body, a detachable wear plate positionable upon said body, and means for clamping said plate upon said body and including a laterally extending substantially horizontal side ledge on said plate, and a body-carried bail holding pin having an eccentric inner end engageable with said ledge substantially throughout the width of same.

' 21. Ina pipe elevator or the like comprising a body, a detachable wear platepositionable upon said body, and means for clamping said plate upon said body and including a laterally extending side ledge on said plate, a body-carried-bail holding pin having an eccentric inner end engageable with said ledge, and a key on said ledge and extending into said eccentric pin end' to hold it in clamping engagement with said ledge.

22. A pipe elevatoror the like comprising a. body having a frontal slot providing a workreceiving opening, a circular groove in the top face of said body and laterally enlarged at opposite sides of said slot, duplicate dog assemblies in said groove at opposite sides of said slot, latterally projecting nose portions carried by each of said dog elements at the ends adjacent said slot, the nose portions of the subjacent dog elements working on said groove enlargements and sustained by the outer walls of such enlargements against transverse movement in said groove, the upper dog elements being rockable slightly transversely of said slot and subjacent dog element and having the front and rear ends of their nose portions which overlie the slot disposed forwardly of corresponding portions of the nose of the subjacent dog members, means tending to actuate said dog member assemblies to slotclosing position, stops in said slots and engaging the noses of the lower dog members for limiting the closing. movement of said dogs assemblies, teeth provided in the rear side portions of said slot, and the upper dog members having lateral shoulders normally engaging said teeth when the dog assemblies are in slot closing position for so maintaining the same, i

e JOSEPH F. MOODY. 

